No One Does YA Better Than Sarah Dessen, and Her 11 Best Books Are Proof

Dessen's "The Rest of the Story," released in 2019, is about Emma Saylor Payne, a 17-year-old spending the summer with her maternal grandmother, whom she doesn't really know. Emma's mother died and they didn't have a close relationship, but being around her mother's family in her mother's childhood home forces her to reconcile with her past. She's helped by Roo Price, the boy who was her best friend as a toddler.

Only good things can come from Dessen turning her attention to the wedding planning business. In "Once and For All," Louna gets a summer job working with her mom, who helps brides plan their big day. Louna's not really a happily ever after kind of person, though, but that only makes her journey toward a happy ending all the more entertaining.

"Keeping the Moon" is all about being comfortable in your own skin. Colie is spending the summer with her aunt by the beach, but she's still grappling with how her body has changed since she lost weight. The book soars as it addresses the topic of body image and how no matter her size, Colie won't be happy until she embraces who she is on the inside (with a little help from her new summer friends, of course).

Dessen doesn't shy away from heavy topics, but even by her standards, "Dreamland" is a difficult read. In the aftermath of her sister suddenly leaving home, Caitlin is trying to be everything to everyone in her family. Her only source of escape comes in the form of a boy who draws her into an abusive relationship. It's a dark, troubling story, but it's also one with a powerful message about survival at its core.

Remy is an incredible YA character. The heroine of "This Lullaby" is rough around the edges and cynical in a way that female characters aren't always allowed to be. Dessen manages to create a believable and witty love story for a character who doesn't believe in love, which makes this one of her most authentic books about teen romance to date.

"Someone Like You" will take your breath away if you let it. The book focuses on Scarlett and Halley, whose friendship has a bit of a power imbalance. Scarlett's always been strong for her pal, but when she discovers she's pregnant shortly after her boyfriend dies, Halley has to step up and grow up in order to help her friend through the most confusing period of her young life so far.

There's an emotional depth to "Saint Anything" that makes it a true standout. Sydney is reeling after her golden-boy brother is sent to jail because of a drunk driving accident that leaves a boy dead. Her parents don't want to reckon with their son's actions, which leaves Sydney to grapple with her brother's mistake and her family's flaws by reaching out to an eccentric family who show her a level of compassion that she's never felt in her own home.

"Along For the Ride" isn't just a great YA book, it's a terrific summer read. Auden's insomnia doesn't disappear when she heads to her newly divorced father's home for the summer, but at least she can take her bike out to explore a new town under the cover of night. During her rides, she discovers a boy who understands her inability to sleep all too well, and you better believe the romance that follows will make your heart skip a beat.

"Along For the Ride" is set to become a Netflix film, hitting the streamer on April 22. Emma Pasarow and Belmont Cameli will star alongside Kate Bosworth, Laura Kariuki, Andie MacDowell, and Dermot Mulroney. The film is written and directed by Sofia Alvarez, who also wrote the screenplay for "To All the Boys I've Loved Before."

Like "This Lullaby," "Just Listen" relies on music to fuel much of its swoon-worthy plot. Annabel presents a perfect picture to the outside world, but beneath her carefully crafted persona is a girl who has no idea who she is or what she wants out of life. Thankfully, she has the music-obsessed Owen to help her learn how to listen to her heart for a change.

"Lock & Key" is Dessen at her best. The story follows Ruby, who is forced to move in with her older sister after their mother abandons her. She's guarded and a little bit broken from the experience, but in her new home, she slowly begins to heal. This book packs an emotional punch as it explores all of the ways a family can hurt each other, then put each other back together again.

The best Dessen book of them all has to be "The Truth About Forever." It has everything that makes the author's work so addictive: grounded realism, strained family dynamics, and the healing power of love and friendship. Macy is still grieving for her father when she takes a job at Wish Catering, but with the help of a group of people who care about her, she's able to finally deal with her loss and begin the beautiful, messy task of moving forward.